Archive for July, 2010

“Faced with a low bank account and a well-financed challenger, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio is replacing his campaign manager with an adviser to the Republican State Committee … He thanked exiting campaign manager Kevin Fullington “for a successful convention and his long hours and hard work to ready this campaign for the final push.” Fullington joins Lazio’s “executive committee,” composed of people working for the campaign. Matt Walter, Fullington’s replacement, served as executive director for the state GOP under former chairman Joe Mondello …”

Playing musical chairs with party hacks does not address the core problem of Lazio’s campaign, which is Lazio himself.

“When he’s not busy running city government, sparring with Albany lawmakers or jetting to the tropics, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has been known to hold a good fund-raiser … In recent weeks, the parade of politicians has included … Daniel M. Donovan Jr., a Republican candidate for state attorney general …”

“… The candidates, who typically leave with a promised $2,300 check from the mayor (the federal limit) and pledges from other invited guests, represent a range of ideologies, but share the mayor’s views on issues like gun control … In using his power as a political fund-raiser, Mr. Bloomberg is attempting to kick-start his third-term agenda by accelerating change in Albany and Washington …”

“… University of New Hampshire Professor of Politics, Andrew Smith, says Democrats started moving away from a strong anti-gun stance in the 90’s when many in the party blamed the issue on massive political losses in Congress … The slow political shift has frustrated some Democrats that have long fought for tougher gun laws, like New York Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy … “They’ve been very open about saying… ‘Carolyn, if the NRA comes against a bill, I gotta vote with the NRA.’ They’re not going to take that chance. I understand that,” said McCarthy of her Democratic colleagues. “Does it bother me? Of course, it bothers me because I’m not trying to take away anyone’s right to own a gun.” …”

At least some of the Democrats are wising up to what a political stinker gun control is. As for McCarthy, her last statement is an outright, boldfaced, bullshit lie. Her one, and only one, goal is a total prohibition on private firearms ownership that is enforced at gun point by the police. That is what her entirely political career has always been about and always will be about. She just will not say it in public. She knows what she is doing is wrong. She knows what she is doing is harmful. She does not care one bit.

“… In the state’s gubernatorial race, former Rep. Rick Lazio has spent nearly as much money over the last six months as opponents Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino, despite Lazio’s anemic fundraising … Lazio reported spending $1.6 million between January and July … A large portion of that money went to political consultant Arthur Finkelstein, a longtime GOP operative. Consultants have been paid $534,000 by Lazio’s campaign this election cycle …”

That’s outrageous. He blows a third of his cash on political hacks and what does he get? According to the latest poll numbers:

“… Cuomo earns 58% of the vote against Lazio and Paladino. Lazio, a former congressman and unsuccessful Senate candidate in 2000, picks up 27% support, with nine percent (9%) undecided … Paladino, a wealthy Buffalo businessman, in turn, captures 29% of the vote …”

Clearly the money was well spent.

I’d like to make an offer to Team Lazio. Dump Finkelstein and hire me instead. Give me $100,000 and I’ll drive your campaign into the ground faster and cheaper than the clowns running it now.

Absent from all this is any mention of any support from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence or the Brady Campaign. NYAGV mouthpiece Jackie Hilly did make a personal $250 contribution and NYAGV co-founder Barbara Hohlt donated $500 last month, but I have not seen evidence of organized support from any antigun organization either in the form of cash, mailings or GOTV efforts and he’s the guy who carried their water in the Senate for years. Mayor Mike gave a bundle of cash to Dan Donovan so I don’t see him supporting Schneiderman. If gun control is so popular with the public, why doesn’t it translate into support for their leading man?

The Assembly Republicans are looking for votes this fall. The latest newsletter from their Sportsman Caucus highlights Brian Kolb receiving the Legislator of the Year Award and mentions “Speaking at a meeting of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs early this spring to discuss Second Amendment legislation …”

“… “In addition to his prolific career in film, television, and on stage, [Baldwin is] actively involved in environmental advocacy, animal rights, gun control issues, and support for campaign finance reform. Baldwin cited Schneiderman’s independence and dedication to these issues in making his endorsement,” the campaign said …”

Nobody gives a shit what Alec Baldwin thinks. It’s that simple. His endorsement is worth, at best, one vote, his own.

“The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, clearing the way for President Barack Obama’s second pick for the high court to be confirmed by early August … Republicans also have raised concerns about memos she wrote as a law clerk to former Justice Thurgood Marshall. In one 1987 memo, she urged Marshall to vote against hearing a Washington man’s appeal in a gun control case. She said she was “not sympathetic” to his claim his rights were violated when he was convicted for carrying an unlicensed pistol …”

I don’t see NRA as being able to stop this either despite their broadcast and print advertisements against her nomination.

Rick Lazio is not challenging Carl Paladino’s petitions so there will be a Republican primary on Sept. 14. That’s a bit surprising since petitions gathered by challengers running against candidates blessed by the political machine are routinely challenged on any and all grounds.